Is Your Mechanic ASE Certified, Does It Matter?

Finding a good auto repair facility is always a concern, especially when your vehicle breaks down. Just who do you trust with the second largest investment of your life? It is important to look for the Blue Seal of Excellence or an ASE Certification.

ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) tests and certifies automotive professionals in all major technical areas of repair and service. This long-standing certification program was designed to give consumers a more effective way of evaluating car repair and service professionals. ASE certifies the technical competence of individual technicians, not their repair facilities. These individual technicians must pass difficult national tests developed by industry experts with oversight from ASE’s own in-house professionals. These tests are then administered by ACT, the same group known for its college entrance exams. There are specialty exams covering all major areas of repair. There are eight tests for auto technicians alone: Engine repair , Engine performance , Electrical systems , Brakes , Heating and Air conditioning , Suspension and Steering , Manual Drive Train and Axles , and Automatic Transmissions . There are also tests for collision repair, paint technicians, damage estimators, parts specialists and others.

Auto repair centers with at least one ASE certified technician are permitted to display the ASE sign. Each ASE professional is issued a personalized document listing his or her exact areas of certification and they are also issued an appropriate shoulder patch. Technicians are also issued certificates that employers often post in the customer-service area showing each individual technicians accomplishments. Employers also display the blue and white ASE sign. Shops employing 75% of service personnel with ASE certification are entitled to a special “Blue Seal of Excellence” recognition from ASE.

We wouldn’t go to a doctor that didn’t display their college level degree on the wall, so why would we take our vehicles to a technician that isn’t appropriately qualified to service it? Car owners and the service and repair industry regard ASE certification as the standard measure of competency and a guide to quality auto repairs. Its important to be certain that the technician that will be repairing your vehicle is certified in the correct area as well, not just generally trained. Most technicians specialize in one area or another so its wise to ask your auto repair center service manager for a technician who is certified in the appropriate area. We wouldn’t ask our eye doctor to fix a sore throat, so we wouldn’t want to ask a brake man to fix our air conditioner either.

Keeping in mind that our vehicles are the second largest investment, we want to get our money’s worth when our vehicle is in the garage. Before we take our vehicle to any garage, we should make sure we have done our research and know that we will be getting the very best service. It is up to us to make certain that our investment is well taken care of and the maintenance schedule is appropriate. Modern vehicles are wonders of engineering, it is necessary to follow periodic maintenance if we expect to get the most from our vehicles.

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August 31, 2010 by admin in Preventative Maintenance
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Too Hot to Handle?

It is hot outside and you think you can escape the heat by getting in your car and going somewhere. Unfortunately, you don’t get far before you find out that your car only blows hot air and steam rolls out from under your hood. Been there done that before? Many of us have. Perhaps you already know that the main component of your cooling system is the radiator that sits right in front of the engine, but did you know that it also requires maintenance?

The radiator transfers the heat from the fluid inside to the air outside, thereby cooling the engine. It is mounted where it receives airflow from the forward movement of the vehicle. Radiators are the essential component of your vehicle’s cooling system. Your cooling system is what keeps your vehicle from having a meltdown. Without some way to cool off, your engine would turn into a block of useless metal in no time at all. All the parts that make up the cooling system have one goal — moving coolant around the engine so it can absorb and dissipate heat. The radiator is the most prominent part of the system. It receives the coolant that has traveled through the engine and is now hot, pumps it through the tubes of the radiator, and cools the fluid off for another round.

Most people know the green stuff in the radiator keeps the engine from turning into a block of ice in the winter, but it also helps keep things cool in the summer. Radiator coolant actually raises the boiling point of the water, allowing it to carry more heat away from the engine and that means a cooler running engine. If you are running low on coolant things can get steamy fast. It only takes a second to check your coolant level. Most cars have an opaque coolant overflow tank right next to the radiator. There are markings on the side indicating low and high levels of coolant. Always check your coolant level when the car is cold. If the level is low, it’s time to top it off. The engine takes a 50/50 mix of coolant and water. You can measure and mix it yourself or you can buy the premixed coolant that is simply ready to pour.

Radiator problems often start slowly due to clogging from rust and debris. This reduces the radiator’s ability to transfer heat and it reduces the effectiveness of the cooling system too. A clean radiator is a cool running radiator. For maintenance, your radiator requires a flush, usually once a year. This flush will clean out the rust and other debris that could create a problem. Ask your local auto repair center about a radiator flush to help insure your cooling system is clean. Remember, dealing with your radiator when your car is running or still warm from running is dangerous due to very hot liquid.

As with any vehicle maintenance, your radiator maintenance should be up to date and done on schedule. Forgetting or letting it slide till next year might cause you far more headache and cost than simply doing it on time. It’s far easier to do the maintenance than to replace the entire radiator or engine of your vehicle. And, you certainly don’t want to be left sitting on the side of the road while your engine takes a steam bath.

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August 28, 2010 by admin in Preventative Maintenance
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A Healthy Differential Makes a Difference

You may be familiar with the basic car terminology when it comes to keeping up with the maintenance. Oil changes, tire rotations, fluids, tire pressure, and many more are common everyday language for any of us who drive a car. Slightly less common, but just as important, are the differentials on your vehicle. Differentials are what keep your wheels from locking up or moving at the same speed when turning while traveling. You tires can’t move at the same speed when turning, because they aren’t going the same distance. Therefore, we have differentials which slow down the inside set of tires during this movement. Specifically, the differential is a device that splits the car’s torque, allowing your tires to spin at different speeds. And because your front tires go a different distance than your back tires, and your inside tires go a difference distance than your outside tires, your car has various differentials.

All modern cars and trucks have them, and they are one more reason to get your car maintained to keep you driving safe on the road. We all make sure to get our oil changed when we are supposed to, but make sure you are also bringing your vehicle to a repair shop that will look at your gears, differentials, and lubrication. Good Works Auto Repair of Mesa and Tempe, offer this service.

Heat, which we know we face here in Arizona, moisture, extreme pressure, and heavy loads all wear down the lubrication on your gears and can wear them down, causing failure when it comes to your tire speeds and the ability to control the different speeds. Safety should be first and foremost, as driving is a major responsibility that most of us choose to take on. But without maintaining your car’s differential, traction can become an issue.
Proper equipment is the key to making sure your car has excellent traction. Visit your nearest
Good Works Auto Repair located in Tempe, or Mesa, to ensure your differentials are in their best condition.

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August 28, 2010 by admin in Preventative Maintenance
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Sink or Swim: Would you Know How to Escape?

The images are gut-wrenching and the stories are horrifying. A car plunging into water could cause panic in any driver or passenger. And the danger is there for numerous reasons that are beyond any humans’ control. Oklahoma City survivor Kevin Chaney said “I was scared to death…” after he lost control of his car and ended up underwater. The car rolled down an embankment and into freezing waters. He opened the door an inch, and the water poured in. He was able to grab his wife and free her from the seatbelt, but struggled getting out of the car and swimming to shore. His family was lucky, but many other people aren’t.

It happens fast, and due to bridges collapsing, boat launches too much for your vehicle, hurricanes, floods, blizzards, icy conditions, and other uncontrollable situations, it can happen. According to an article from AZ Central, a man in Phoenix has survived an underwater experience after his car crashed into a canal for unknown reasons. So, yes, even in the desert, we need to be aware of watery automobile accidents.

Would you know what to do if your vehicle plunged into deep waters and you were trying to escape? According to saveyourlife.us, the goal is to exit the vehicle as quickly as possible by breaking the window. There are tools out there that can help with the trials of such a task. For example, the Life Hammer contains a seat-belt cutter and a hammer on each end. Both are essential to getting you and your passengers from a sinking car.

It is also important to know that your car is safe traveling through problematic conditions, and can handle any situation. Be sure that your brakes are properly functioning, your tire condition can handle various weather conditions, and that you have an honest and respectable auto repair shop that can help you ensure that your car is safe.

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August 11, 2010 by admin in Driving Safety, Recent News
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Car Insurance, Getting What You Need

Shopping for car insurance can be a very confusing process with a bunch of fine print that the average person can hardly understand. Several years ago most car insurance was purchased through an agent that worked for more than one insurance company. Now it is sold online through customer service representatives as well as through agents in an office. How you buy your insurance depends on what company you choose and whether you feel comfortable doing it all online, over the phone, or in person. In order to make sure all your personal needs are completely covered it is often in your best interest to talk to someone in person, this will make sure your needs are completely communicated and understood.

When you are in the market for car insurance, careful shopping is a must. Prices, features, and benefits vary widely from company to company. Comparison shopping is always a smart thing to do and there are many different ways to do this from online to using an agent to compare for you. In order to guard your best interests, get more than one rate quote. It is possible to pay double from one company to the next. It is also a good idea to evaluate insurance costs before you buy a new vehicle. The year, make and model of your vehicle can have a profound impact on the insurance rate.

Vehicle insurance policies have several different coverages that can be compiled into one big policy so it will cover just about any situation you might encounter. Collision covers damage to the policyholder’s car resulting from running into anything, another car, fire hydrant, or a light post. Comprehensive coverage covers the car in case of theft, fire, falling objects, explosions, or other unexpected problems. These two types should be included in most policies unless the car being covered is an old rattletrap, or the sum of your premium and your deductible are close to or exceed the worth of the vehicle. In this case one might choose to take a gamble and forgo this coverage.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is to pay for treatment and/or property damages of the policyholder in the event that they are injured in a collision with an uninsured driver. Underinsured motorist coverage covers a situation when an at-fault driver has only auto liability insurance and the limit of the insurance is not enough to cover the victim’s damages. There is also Personal Injury Protection, which in some states is a required coverage. It covers the treatment of injuries to the driver and passengers of the policyholder’s vehicle.

Most insurance companies also offer coverages that are not required by law but may be beneficial to a policy holder. These coverages include glass breakage, roadside assistance or towing, and rental car coverage. Glass insurance covers your windows and windshield in case of cracking, pitting, or breaking. Roadside assistance provides services such as bringing fuel should you run out, unlocking your car if you lock your keys inside, or towing your car to a local
auto repair facility should it break down.

Now that you know a few of the terms used in vehicle insurance it’s time to begin researching the agencies available and pick the one you think fits you best. There are a lot of agencies out there, some with well known names, and some are smaller agencies that may not have the best financial situation. The agencies without good financial standing may be out of business before you are even aware there was a problem. To choose the actual company you want to buy your insurance policy from, be sure to check out the financial strength ratings. Refer to the A.M Best and the Standard & Poor’s ratings, both of these companies publish financial strength ratings for all insurance companies, these measure an insurance company’s ability to pay out a claim. The A.M. Best rating is expressed as a letter grade from A++ (the highest) to D. Some companies may be assigned ratings of E, this indicates regulatory action regarding the company’s solvency, F means they are in liquidation and S means suspended. It is only smart to work with companies with B or higher rating. These ratings relate only to the company’s ability to provide the services they offer and have nothing to do with the way an insurance company treats its customers.

Once you have an agency picked out, it’s time to decide if you want to buy online or find an agent that will represent your needs in person. Experts say that consumers who sign on with agents generally have an advantage during the claims process. The agent has a vested interest in you being happy whereas the claims representative has a general desire to keep you happy, but it’s not the same. An agent can also become familiar with your situation and guide you toward a suitable policy. The best way to find a good insurance company and agent? Ask your friends, neighbors, relatives – anyone who drives a car has likely had an experience with auto insurance. Ask an auto repair professional – they see all kinds of cars and talk to all kinds of drivers. Referrals often tell you much more than a company’s advertisements and website.

Finally, when you have made your decisions and have your new policy in front of you waiting for your signature, don’t just assume all is in order. Take a moment and read through it, make sure all the coverage’s you requested are included on the policy. After your signature is on the dotted line of your new policy it is safe to cancel the old policy. Cancellation is only recognized by a written notice from you, if you simply let your policy lapse you are in fact defaulting on an agreement. This leaves the insurance company free to leave negative information on your credit report. After all of this is completed, your shopping is officially over. Relax, take a deep breath and count the pennies you have saved by doing your own shopping as an informed consumer. Remember that safe drivers save even more, so when you hit the road be safe. From your friends at Good Works Auto Repair in Mesa and Tempe.

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July 27, 2010 by admin in Money Saving Tips
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Are you Road-Trip Ready?

Summer is here and so is the season of road-tripping. With warmer weather and longer daylight hours many people bid farewell to the winter blues by hitting the highways for some road-trip therapy. According to Road and Travel, most aren’t aware that this is actually the most dangerous time. The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is coined by many as the 101 Deadliest Days on the road for all drivers. Fatalities due to traffic accidents increase in the summer because people are spending more time on the road. It’s time to brush up on defensive driving skills and double check our vehicle maintenance to be sure that both vehicle and driver are road-trip ready.

First of all, it’s time to go over the vehicle and check the tires, make sure they are in good shape. If you have winter tires on, it’s time to take them off and change to all season tires. Winter tires wear out quickly on dry, hot pavement; switching them early will keep them in optimum shape for next year, not to mention improve your car’s handling during the summer months. Also be sure to check your tire pressure and check it often. With every passing month, the average tire loses about a pound of pressure. Proper tire pressure is critical to avoid blowouts and tread separation. Properly installed tires also improve fuel economy for that long family vacation.

Heavy loads and higher temperatures also put strain on your tires. Your car and tires are designed to operate safely only up to their load limits. Be sure you aren’t overloaded for that long road trip. While you are checking the weight limits for your tires check the tread on them too. Make sure they are wearing normally; all grooves should be visible and deep enough to at least touch the top of Lincoln’s head on a penny inserted head first in the tread. Low tread or bald tires are unsafe and need to be replaced.

Next, take a look at the sticker in your windshield to see what the mileage should be for your next oil change. If you have fallen behind on oil changes, get it changed before you hit the road. Be sure to discuss the type and viscosity of the oil being used in your vehicle, if you will be driving in extremely hot temperatures it might be a good idea to change to a compound that is slightly thicker. Your local auto repair center will know the best kind of oil for your location and the locations your road trip will take you through. While the hood is up, check the coolant/antifreeze levels inside the radiator. The ideal ratio of coolant to water is 50/50 for optimal temperature regulation in both cold and hot weather. Remember if you have trouble with your vehicle overheating on your trip, be sure to add not only water but coolant too so you maintain that ratio. It’s a good idea to carry both water and coolant in the vehicle for emergency situations. There is nothing more frustrating than sitting on the side of the road with an overheated vehicle, no water or coolant for either the car or driver.

It’s also a good time to check the belts and hoses, in modern cars they are designed to last a long time, but Murphy’s law is if it can fail it will when you least expect it to. Have those belts and hoses inspected by your local Auto Repair Center especially if you aren’t sure when they were last replaced. Peace of mind on the road is essential to having a good time.

Also take a minute to inspect the wiper blades and check the battery. Wiper blades only last about one year; they often get dried out in Arizona’s harsh climate. If they don’t make full contact with the windshield, replace them and check your washer fluid reservoir, top it off when you top off with gas. And finally check the battery. Extreme heat and cold put additional strain on a battery, if yours is more than 3 years old; have it tested by your auto repair center. If you have no idea how old it might be, it might be a good time to replace it. It is certainly better to do this at your local Auto Repair Center than on the side of the road with a car full of less-than-patient kids.

And finally prepare an emergency kit for your vehicle. A few items that would be very useful in an emergency situation would be: a flashlight, flares, and first-aid kit, jumper cables, extra clothes and gloves, paper towels, washer fluid, coolant, non-perishable food, a jug of water, and a few basic tools (wrenches, ratchet/socket set, screwdrivers, pliers etc). Many of these items may come pre-packaged at an auto parts store or major department stores.

Once you are ready to hit the road, remind yourself and other drivers in your vehicle to be aware when they are at the wheel. Life is really about the journey so take the scenic route and enjoy your time. Remember there are lots of extra drivers on the road with everyone vacationing and driving students. Be sure to use your signals correctly and in a timely fashion. Be patient with trucks and RVs, they have a right to the road too. Keep an eye out for children riding bicycles or playing by the side of the road too. Most of all, relax a little and enjoy your trip, but be sure to pull off when you get drowsy. Driving and sleeping don’t mix.

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July 10, 2010 by admin in Driving Safety, Preventative Maintenance
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Do You Text and Drive?

It’s hard to believe but 47% of adults say they have been guilty of DWT – Driving While Texting. Most of us think it is just something the “young” folks do. It is in part generational, but it is affecting all ages of drivers. Part of the problem is there is no social stigma attached to it yet; however, 19 states already ban texting while driving. Others are working on legislation right now that would ban it, making fines increasingly high as well as adding as many as two points to a driver’s license if caught.

Many of us have the attitude “Do as I say, not as I do”, underestimating other driver’s ability and overestimating our own. We all think we’re at least fairly intelligent, but really, it’s not overly smart to DWT. There are hundreds of examples of this lack of intelligence every day, just stand on the street corner and watch people drive past. A stunning number are texting or talking while driving. It might even be possible to see someone talking on their cell, driving and drinking a beer. Perhaps it’s for these reasons that a 2009 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 35% of drivers feel less safe on the road than they did five years ago. Kevin W. Bakewell, senior vice president of the AAA Auto Club South, tried to put it in context: Someone driving 70 mph travels 100 feet per second. While writing just a three-second text message, a driver can go the length of a football field without looking at the road. Bakewell also said “There is no instance where taking your hands off the wheel, where taking your mind and eyes off the road, is safe.”

According to figures released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2008, at any given moment 6% of drivers are talking on a cell phone. That was up from 4% in 2002. The study also found that 1% of all drivers are texting at any given time.

The decision to leave your cell phone alone while driving is really a no brainer, even Oprah is getting in on the buzz about DWT. The heartbreaking stories of tragic deaths caused by cell phone use rival those on drunk driving. Most of us have very strong opinions and feelings on DWI, but for DWT, it’s sort of all mixed up. According to psychologist Susan Weinschenek, author of the book “Neuro Web Design” cell phone use; calls or texts- evoke a response similar to addictive behavior. Receiving or sending a message can give recipients a “kick” in the form of dopamine, part of the brains seek-and-pleasure system. One kick usually encourages another kick and catches users in a “dopamine induced loop”.

Everyone wants to drive safe and to be safe when out on the road, keep yourself and everyone in your vehicle safe by leaving your cell phone alone. Ignoring that buzz that indicates a text message just might save your life and that of your children. Life is more important than any incoming call or message. From your friends at Good Works Auto Repair – be safe!

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July 5, 2010 by admin in Driving Safety, Recent News
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Shopping for Four Pieces of Rubber – Are you Prepared?

The most important piece of real estate on your car is those four small contact points that grip the road – the one you know as your tires. Those few square inches of rubber determine just about everything. Tires harness the engine’s power, allow the brakes to do their job, and determine how successfully a car will go around a corner. Tires are made up of a complex assembly of cables and rubbers, molded into a highly engineered profile. They are then mounted onto a wheel and inflated with air to give it shape and definition.

When it is time to go shopping for those all important tires, brush up on your knowledge about the tires your vehicle needs. According to Edmunds the sidewall of your tire is filled with important information that tells you everything you need to know. For example, the number P215/65R15 means the following: P means passenger tire, 215 means nominal width of tire in millimeters, 65 means the ratio of height to width, R means Radial, 15 means Rim diameter code. This is the number that most of us would use when we go shopping for tires, it is necessary to know what all of it means. There are also numbers indicating the load index and speed, severe snow conditions, the U.S. DOT tire ID number, max permissible inflation pressure, max load rating, tread wear and traction, tire ply composition and materials used. All this information is on your tires for a reason, everyone needs to know what it means and how it affects them when tire shopping.

On every tire the tread depth is what determines whether your tire is worn out or not. U.S. coins can be substituted for a tire tread depth gauge as tires wear to the critical final few 32nds of an inch of their remaining tread depth. Place a penny into several tread grooves across the tire. If part of Lincoln’s head is always covered by the tread, you have more than 2/32” of tread depth remaining. According to most states’ laws, tires are legally worn out when they have worn down to 2/32” of remaining tread depth. To help warn drivers that their tires have reached that point, tires sold in the US are required to have indicators molded into their tread design called “wear bars” which run across their tread pattern from their outside shoulder to inside shoulder. These wear bars are a necessary piece of information that will help keep everyone safe.

New tires do come with warranties. Each manufacturer specifies the duration of their tires’ limited warranty in months or years from the date of purchase. All tire warranties begin at the time of delivery for new vehicles and at the time of purchase for replacement tires. Tire warranties also expire when the tire’s original tread is worn down to 2/32” (1.6mm) of the remaining tread at which time the tread blocks are worn flush with the tread wear indicator bars. Warranties on replacement tires only apply to the original owner and vehicle upon which the set of tires was initially installed.

All warranties vary from one manufacturer to another, most have fine print regarding workmanship and materials, road hazard coverage, and uniformity. All of this fine print can be very confusing and difficult to understand. When it becomes too much to understand, contact the helpful folks at Good Works Auto Repair in Tempe or Mesa, they can help you will all your questions. It may come as a surprise to you, but Good Works sells all the major brands of tires and are well-equipped to install, repair, inspect, and maintain your tires. Each of us climbs in our car everyday trusting it to get us to our destination and back again. Well maintained tires will get us there and back. Knowing what we are shopping for will make it easier and will help us to know when we make the right decision.

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July 5, 2010 by admin in Preventative Maintenance
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Tis the Season to Be Careful

Summer is in full swing. There are graduations, weddings, sporting events, and numerous other outings to attend. You will drive here, drive there, drive everywhere. This time of the year offers the opportunity to relax, enjoy, renew, and refresh the body, mind, and soul. Let’s put forth the effort to demonstrate a priority in valuing the life we live. As you hurry in and out of the car, going from place to place keep in mind the importance of your seatbelt; it saves lives. Motor vehicle accidents were responsible for taking the lives of over 30,000 people in the year 2006, when over 6 million accidents were reported. Of those, 55 % were not wearing seatbelt. According to the NHTSA, in the deaths of people aged 2 through 34 years motor vehicle accidents are ranked the number one cause.

This ranking is a sad, but true statistic; a result of carelessness and lack of responsibility. However, there is a silver lining to this statistic. You have influence and power over those whom travel with you. As a driver whom chooses to wear a seatbelt, 3 out of 4 passengers will follow suit. So, sit tall, pull it over, click it in, and stay alive. Be careful, stay careful! Be sure that your seatbelt is in working order. Stop in and see the folks who care for a free safety check at Good Works Auto Repair’s 2 locations: Tempe and Mesa AZ. They stand behind their promise as they value not only your business, but your precious life too. “Everyone and every repair counts!”

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June 9, 2010 by admin in Recent News

Age Doesn’t Need To Slow You Down

It’s interesting to notice how our taste in cars changes as we age. When we’re young, it’s all about looks and power. Then comes the day when we try to figure out what we need to haul our bikes, camping gear, or kids. Eventually, our needs change again and we start looking for the more traditional “senior” car – often a four-door sedan. This change in taste is much more than simple aging and changing of likes and dislikes. Consumer’s Report recently conducted a study in which they identified ways that our automotive needs change as we age and matched popular automobiles to those requirements.

The American Automobile Association has also studied this topic and lists features that will give mature drivers increased driving confidence and comfort behind the wheel. Some of those features are ease-of-access, larger displays and controls, and good visibility. The Consumer’s Report list adds the following requirements:

• Good crash test ratings
• Stability control
• A full set of airbags
• Power seats
• Adjustable pedals and steering wheel
• Visor coverage or extensions

Based on these requirements, the Consumer Reports lists the following cars as being especially suited for mature drivers:

• Honda Odyssey
• Subaru Forester
• Hyundai Azera
• Honda Accord
• Kia Rondo

Of course, these are simply generalized requirements and every driver should test drive the perspective car, spending enough time to really focus on things like comfort and visibility. And, as your friends in the auto repair business, we would always recommend researching reliability factors and a pre-purchase inspection to ensure that this car will be reliable and safe for years to come.

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May 28, 2010 by admin in Money Saving Tips, Recent News
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